46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49, NIV)

Today our journey takes us through Luke chapters 5 and 6 which covers a large range of topics including healing, calling the Apostles, teaching, the beatitudes, and parables.

Take a few minutes to seek God’s guidance and understanding of Luke 5-6. Now read Luke 5-6. Let the journey begin!

Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Luke begins with Jesus calling His first disciples, after preaching from a fishing boat in the Lake of Gennesaret. Jesus heals a man with leprosy, and forgives and heals a paralyzed man (to the chagrin of the Pharisees). Jesus calls Levi to discipleship and dines with sinners. (Luke 5:1-38)

Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Luke begins with Jesus healing on the Sabbath, further threatening the traditions and customs of the Pharisees. Luke 6 continues with Jesus calling His apostles, His closest associates. There were twelve apostles. From verse 17 through verse 38 of chapter 6, Luke the physician recites the beatitudes, Luke chapter 6 concludes with three parables. (Luke 6:1-49)

One of those parables is our focus verses for today:

46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49, NIV)

Luke made it clear that anyone who call Jesus Lord must conform his life to Jesus’ teachings. People often claim to be followers of a person or movement while only adopting the principles that do not interfere with how they want to live. That is not a true following. Jesus said:

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16, NIV)

Is it possible to be a true follower of Jesus without governing our lives by the life principles which Jesus taught?

China: The Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Huang Yichaun to death for the murder of two children outside of a primary school in Shanghai in 2018. Another child and a parent were also stabbed, however they survived. Huang stated that he killed the children to vent his anger about being insulted and hurt by others. The court acknowledged that although Huang has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, the diagnosis cannot exempt him from being punished for his crimes.

Indonesia: Felix Dorfin has been sentenced to death by an Indonesian court for carrying drugs in a suitcase at the airport in Lombok. The verdict was a surprise to many, as the prosecutors only asked for a 20-year jail term. In going beyond the jail term sought by the prosecution, the court noted the significant quantity of drugs being smuggled, and Felix’s invent in an international drug syndicate. Previously, Felix made headlines when he managed to escape from the prison where he was being held and avoid capture for two weeks.

Japan: The death sentence for 49-year-old Kohi Yamada has been finalized by a court, after his appeal was withdrawn. Yamada is convicted of murdering 13-year-old Natsumi Hirata and 12-year-old Ryoto Hoshino by suffocation in 2015. It is unknown why Yamada withdrew his appeal. Yamada pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Singapore: Thirty-one-year-old Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, a Malaysian national, has been granted a last-minute stay of execution. Pannier had previously requested clemency from President Halimah Yacob, who rejected the request. A lawyer for Pannier told the courts that he had not had proper time to consult with his client, who only learned of his execution and the rejected clemency request one week before the scheduled execution. The lawyer requested that the courts halt the execution in order to allow him time to appeal the rejection of the clemency petition and to present fully developed arguments. The request of a temporary stay of execution was granted. Pannir has been sentenced to death for trafficking heroin.

United States of America: On Thursday, May 23, 2019, Robert Joseph Long a/k/a Bobby Joe Long was executed by the state of Florida. Robert, a serial killer, has admitted to eight murders, and numerous rapes. He was executed for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Denise Simms in 1984.

O On Friday, May 17, 2019, Charles Wright, a death row inmate in Tennessee, died at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 64 years of age. Charles was scheduled to be executed on October 10, 2019. Charles was pronounced dead at 11:57 am, and reportedly died of natural causes. Charles was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Douglas Alexander in 1984. Charles also received a life sentence for the murder of Gerald Mitchell. Prior to his death, Charles’ attorney had unsuccessfully petitioned for a compassionate release, stating that Charles was dying of cancer and wanted to “touch the grass and eat his sister’s cooking.” An autopsy is pending for Charles.

Thirty-two-year-old Joseph McAlpin has been sentenced to death in Ohio or the 2017 murder of Michael Kuznik and Trina Tomola. The double murder occurred during a break-in attempt at their family-owned car lot. McAlpin represented himself at trial and stated numerous times that he would only accept full liberty or death. McAlpin has claimed that he is innocent of the shooting.

The state Senate in Oregon has passed a bill that would redefine aggravated murder, the only crime punishable by death in the state. The bill must pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Governor Kate Brown before becoming law. Under the new bill, only those who kill two or more people in at attempt to intimidate a civil population or influence a government (a crime that is associated with terrorist acts), those who kill children under the age of 14, or those who kill an inmate while serving time for murder, would be eligible to receive a death sentence. Currently, Governor Brown has continued the moratorium on executions in the state, as established by her predecessor, Governor John Kitzhaber in 2011.

A bill in Louisiana that would shield the identifies of the suppliers of execution drugs, has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 68-31. The bill now heads to the state Senate. Currently, Louisiana does not have drugs available to carry out lethal injections and drug makers have become less willing to sell the drug for use in executions. Therefore, states have had to turn to compounding pharmacies to obtain execution drugs, however, public backlash by anti-death penalty opponents has made the compounding pharmacies hesitant to sell if their names will be revealed to the public. Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated that he would likely be willing to sign the bill, however he would need to review the final copy first.

Earlier this month, the New Hampshire legislature passed a bill to end capital punishment in the state. Governor Christ Sununu vetoed the bill. Now the legislature is attempting to override the governor’s veto. The state House of Representatives, on Thursday, May 23, 2019, has achieved the necessary two-thirds majority vote needed to override the veto. The repeal now goes to the state Senate. When passing the bill, the Senate had enough votes for an override. There is only one inmate on death row in New Hampshire, and no executions have occurred since 1939.

2Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ 3But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.” (Jeremiah 43:2-3, NIV)

Chapters 42-46 of Jeremiah: The leaders of Israel come to Jeremiah asking him to petition his God on their behalf. He was to ask God to spare the remnant and whatever God declares, good of bad, the people of Israel would accept. God told the remnant to stay in Judah and not go to Egypt or He (God) would destroy them. Our focus verses for today reveals they did not like God’s response to their petition and rejected it, breaking their word to God through Jeremiah the prophet. (Jeremiah 42:1-46:28)

Our focus verses for today:

2Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’ 3But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon.” (Jeremiah 43:2-3, NIV)

God’s direction to the remnant was not well received. The flatly refused to obey God’s directions and accused Jeremiah of lying to them concerning God’s instruction. The leaders of Israel didn’t want God’s direction - they wanted God’s affirmation. It is difficult to go to God seeking a solution to a problem without having a hoped for response from God. Most likely God’s response will not be the response we are hoping for. God gave the remnant an opportunity at redemption and they rejected it. How do you respond to God’s message to you? Will you reject it? Will you redeem it?

Robert Joseph Long a/k/a Bobby Joe Long was executed by the stat of Florida on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Robert was pronounced dead at 6:55 pm EDT, inside the execution chamber at the Florida State Penitentiary in Raiford, Florida. Robert was 65 years of age. Robert was executed for the murder of 22-year-old Michelle Denise Simms in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida in 1984. Robert has also confessed to seven other murders. Robert spent the last 32 years of his life on Florida’s death row.

Robert had a difficult childhood and was teased as a child due to a birth defect. During his childhood, he also suffered multiple head injuries. Robert had a dysfunctional relationship with his mother, sleeping in the same bed as her until he was a teenager. He had no stable male role model while growing up, as his mother had a string of short-term boyfriends. Shortly after graduating high school, Robert married his high school girlfriend, and they went on to have two children. They divorced six years after they got married. While recovering from a severe motorcycle accident, Robert began suffering from blinding headaches, unpredictable violent rages, and became obsessed with sex.

On May 27, 1984, the nude body of Michelle Simms was discovered near Plant City, Florida. Her hands and body were bound in rope and her clothing was found scattered nearby. Rope burns indicated that she had been strangled, as well as had her throat slit and multiple head injuries. Her exact cause of death was unknown, but any of the aforementioned injuries could have been the cause of death.

The discovery of Michelle’s body began an intense investigation into the abduction, rape, and murder of least 9 other women in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas, Florida, collectively known as the Tampa Bay Area. The investigation involved law enforcement officials from multiple counties, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Forensic evidence, specifically fibers from a vehicle carpet, linked the crimes to a single perpetrator.

On November 3, 1984, Lisa McVey was kidnapped leaving a donut shot in northern Tampa, Florida. She was taken to an unknown apartment and was sexually assaulted for the next 26 hours. She was then released. Carpet fibers gathered from her clothing matched the carpet fibers found in the other cases. Lisa was extensively interviewed by law enforcement officials after the connection was made. She was able to recall that her abductor had a red vehicle with a red interior. The vehicle also had the word “Magnum” on the dash. Using this information, police were able to narrow down the suspect list. Lisa identified Robert Long, a/k/a Bobby Long as her abductor through a photo lineup.

On November 16, 1984, Long was arrested and charged with the sexual battery and kidnapping of Lisa. After waiving his Miranda rights, Long eventually confessed to the kidnapping and rape of Lisa. Investigators continued questioning Long, bringing up the recent murders. Long evading answering questions, claiming he did not know anything, about these murders, eventually stating that he thought he needed an attorney.

Over an 8-month period in 1984, 10 women were kidnapped, raped, and murdered: 20-year-old Artiss Ann Wick on March 27, 1984; 19-year-old Ngeun Thi Long on May 13, 1984; 22-year-old Michelle Denise Simms on May 27, 1984; 22-year-old Elizabeth Loudenback on June 8, 1984; 21-year-old Vicky Marie Elliott on September 7, 1984; 18-year-old Chanel Devoun Williams on October 7, 1984; 28-year-old Karen Beth Dinsfriend on October 14, 1984; 22-year-old Kimberly Kyle Hopps on October 31, 1984; Virginia Lee Johnson on November 6, 1984; and 21-year-old Kim Marie Swann on November 11, 1984.

Eventually, Long confessed to eight of the murders, including providing police with instruction on where to find one of the bodies. He also confessed to being the “Classified Ad Rapist,” a man who would schedule appointments for the middle of day to view furniture advertised through classified ads. Upon arriving, if the women were alone, Long would force his way into the homes at knife point and rape the women, before robbing them and fleeing.

Long reached a plea bargain for eight of the murders and was sentenced to 24 concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole, two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, and seven life sentences with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Long was tried separately for the murders of Virginia Johnson and Michelle Simms. He was sentenced to death for both murders, however those sentences were later overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. Long was again sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle.

Please pray for peace and healing for Lisa McVey and for the families of Artiss Wick, Ngeun Long, Michelle Simms, Elizabeth Loudenback, Vicky Elliot, Chanel Williams, Karen Dinsfriend, Kimberly Hopps, Virginia Johnson, and Kim Swann. Please pray for any others that have been affected by Robert Long. Please pray for strength for the family of Robert.

2I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. (Job 42:2-3, NIV)

Chapter 41 of Job: God continues explaining to Job who He, God, is and what He has done and can do. God asks Job if he can do the same. God asks Job if he understands God and His works. (Job 41:1-34)

In chapter 42, Job replies to God by acknowledging that he spoke without understanding. Job repents of his sin against God. God directs Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to go to Job and make a burnt offering for speaking incorrectly about God. Job offers a prayer for his three friends. Job’s possessions are restored and he has seven more sons and three more daughters. (Job 42:1-17)

Our focus verses for today:

2I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. (Job 42:2-3, NIV)

It is difficult for humans to admit that they do not understand. No one truly understands God and His ways. Have you ever created something from nothing? Do you understand how to do it? As impossible as it may seem, having a personal relationship with the One who created everything from nothing, is what God wants. The problem most of us face with this is that our attempts to understand rather than to rely on the One who created everything from nothing. Job tried to explain to God, rather than to ask God what was happening. Job didn’t rely on God for deliverance. Job sought deliverance from his plight, without understanding what his plight was, in his own understanding. Job got in the way. Accept that God is God, creator of all things, and the source of our deliverance and salvation. Accept that no human understands everything. Accept that no human truly understands the mysteries of the great I Am. Accept that God is God. Godspeace!

Psalms 60-62 takes us through an array of emotions expressed by the Psalmist, King David. It begins with a plea to the Lord, asking Him to restore His favor upon Israel and King David. It proceeds with the Psalmist calling out to the Lord for rescue and concludes that all power is in Lord who shall reward all for what they have done. God’s love is unfailing. (Psalm 60:1-62:12)

1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2, NIV)

King David was a complex man who lived a very complicated life. He had enemies that wanted him dead. He had enemies because he was King of Israel. He had family enemies because of his many marriages. David, like you and I, was a sinner. David had Uriah, one of his mighty men, a member of the 37, murdered to conceal David’s adulterous relationship with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. King David was a very complicated man. With all of David’s complexities, King David had focus which gave him understanding. King David knew that he was king at God’s mercy for as long as God would allow. King David knew that his wisdom and authority came from God. King David also knew he was a sinner. King David knew and acquiesced to the fact that God is in charge. King David knew God was in charge of all things, great and small. King David saw himself as God saw him. It is true that King David was a sinner like us. It is also true that King David saw God as his Redeemer and Deliverer. King David knew God. Godspeace!

15Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” ( Samuel 21:15-17, NIV)

Chapter 20 tells of an attempted coup by the tribes of Israel led by Sheba, a Benjamite. Joab surpasses the rebellion with he assistance of wise woman. (2 Samuel 20:1-26)

Chapter 21 tells how the Gibeonites were avenged for King Saul’s betrayal and moves on to describe the continued war with the Philistines. (2 Samuel 21:1-22)

Chapter 22 is David’s song of praise to the Lord. ( 2 Samuel 22:1-51)

Chapter 23 contains David’s last words, and praise to David’s mighty warriors. The list includes 37 men of ultimate valor and courage. The list includes Uriah the Hittite, the man whom David had killed, fearful of being found out for committing adultery with Uriah’s wife. (2 Samuel 23:1-39)

Chapter 24 tells of David taking a census to enroll the fighting men. This angered the Lord resulting in a plague being placed on Israel by the Lord. David builds an altar to atone for his sin. (2 Samuel 24: 1-24)

Our focus verses for today:

15Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” ( Samuel 21:15-17, NIV)

King David was getting older. King David’s courage had not wained but the strength he had in his youth was fading. His men were wise and they recognized that the King’s place was in Jerusalem and not out fighting the Philistines. They knew that it was King David who held Israel together as a unified nation. They may not have understood why, but they knew. King David was a wise man, a man who knew God, a man who spoke with God, and a man who surrounded himself with wise men. King David was a sinner just like you and I. King David knew God. King David spoke with God. Godspeace!